Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think about This?: Guidelines for Selecting Books Consistent with the Principles of America's Founders

Uncle Eric #6

by Richard J. Maybury

"Evaluating What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?" offers many insights. It teaches principles of economics and government in bite-sized nuggets, and gives indicators for spotting the philosophical slant of most writers and media commentators on the subjects of law, history, economics and literature. For ages 12 through adult. Can be used for courses in Economics, Business, Finance, Government and History.

Table of Contents for Evaluating What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?
Uncle Eric's Model of How the World Works
Quantity Discounts Available
Author's Disclosure
How to Use This Book
Evaluating Books
America's Founders

Negative Indicators
Issue #1. The Great Depression
Issue #2. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal
Issue #3. Progressive Taxes
Issue #4. Robber Baron Capitalists
Issue #5. Governments Aren't Greedy
Issue #6. Child Labor Laws
Issue #7. Farmers Had Happier Lives
Issue #8. Poverty and Crime
Issue #9. Wage-and-Price Spiral
Issue #10. Needs of Society
Issue #11. Isolationism
Issue #12. Unions Saved Workers
Issue #13. Social Security is Beneficial
Issue #14. War
Issue #15. Sacrifice
Issue #16. The Founders Motives Were Corrupt

Misleading Terms

Positive Indicators
Indicator #1. Quality of Life
Indicator #2. Individualism
Indicator #3. Accomplishment Deserves Reward
Indicator #4. Higher Law Exists
Indicator #5. Heroes Use Brain Not Brawn
Indicator #6. Evidence vs. Opinion
Indicator #7. Objective Truth
Indicator #8. Tanstaafl
Indicator #9. Overcome Problems & Move Forward

Examples
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
A Tribute to the Statue of Ellis Island
The Founding Smugglers, Tax Evaders, and Traitors?
Recommended Authors
Organizations
About Richard J. Maybury
Index

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Economics, Government, Politics, Education, School

125 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Richard Maybury, also known as Uncle Eric, is the publisher of U.S. & World Early Warning Report for Investors. He has written several entry level books on United States economics, law, and history from a libertarian perspective. He writes the books in epistolary form, usually as an uncle writing to his nephew, answering questions.

Maybury was a high school economics teacher. After failing to find a book which would give a clear explanation on his view of economics he wrote one himself. Some of his books include Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career & Financial Security, Higher Law, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? and Whatever Happened to Justice? .

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book is perhaps a bit unfortunate given that the book is so much more than guidelines for selecting books, and also that many people today think (and criticize) more about Jefferson's personal life than they do about his principals regarding government and economics and his work in forming this country. The book is about so much more than that!!! It should be noted that Maybury actually mentions twelve of the most notable Founding Fathers and using their principles to present "the other side of the story" to the viewpoint that is most prevalent (whether explicitly stated or not) in most media today. Maybury feels that most news media, school books, etc. come from a "statist" point of view, meaning, stated simply, that they believe "political power is good and everyone should have lots of it. Its benefits are greater than its costs, and it can solve our problems." Contrast this with the Founding Fathers who "hated political power, were afraid of it, and believed it was fundamentally evil. They believed the only 'real world' solution was to keep power widely dispersed and so limited that no one had much interest in it --it was virtually irrelevant." When one assesses any issue with both viewpoints in mind, they must engage in critical thinking. That is what Maybury wants to see.

Maybury provides tools for navigating through media that is largely from a statist point of view. He does not feel that most authors have formed some conspiracy to brainwash people, but rather that they do not know they are teaching concepts that are opposite of the original American philosophy. "They teach only what they were taught." He encourages parents and educators to explore both sides and enter into debates with their students, so that the students can come to understand both the statist and non-statist sides of a particular issue and come to be familiar with both. That will help the students understand better how to analyze the media they are met with on a daily basis. He does not oppose students being introduced to the statist perspective (though it is one that he personally does not believe in) but he feels they should be equipped with the analytical tools to understand that it, like all others, is a perspective, not an objective truth, and that our sources of knowledge should be viewed critically, not with mere acquiesce.

And this includes his own work.

Maybury begins his book with an Author's Disclosure, "For reasons I do not understand, writers today are supposed to be objective. Few disclose the viewpoints or opinions that they use to decide what information is important and what is not, or what shall be presented or omitted." He proceeds to outline his own bias, the one which influences his work, "I am biased in favor of liberty, free markets, and international neutrality." While I think it stands to reason that those who agree with Maybury here will find more to appreciate in his work, I think that the very fact he outlines his own bias is great and should, rather than turn-off those who don't agree, invite them into his work, because they know where he comes from. Naturally, most of the other sources he includes also support his perspective. But, that's just it: it is a perspective. Readers equipped with the critical thinking skills Maybury promotes here will be able to evaluate his work just as they do others. We all come to current events, politics, etc. with our values in place. What helps us grow and mature as human beings is to be able to look at other perspectives--as well as our own!--with critical thinking skills, trying to understand the other person's side of the argument not just ignore it in unyielding favor of our own.

Maybury explains that the danger in our current society is that most mainstream media never gives another side to the issue. (A current events example can be seen in the current GOP race where much of mainstream media chooses to ignore candidate Ron Paul because he does not neatly fit with either of their established political models; it is easier to ignore than to try to understand.) His purpose in writing this book is to awaken students (and adults) to engage in critical thinking and research skills to be able to more keenly assess the information provided to them and to seek out less mainstream sources for an opposing viewpoint so that students can make the most informed and well-rounded choices about what they choose to believe and support.

I would recommend this heartily to high school students, especially those nearing graduation and voting age, as well as to adults who would find benefit in the material for themselves or for sharing with younger kids thorough dialogue.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I really like are the suggestions for other readings with a given category. Don't take his word for it, read these other peoples.

One of the words new to me is Statists or Statism. A belief in big government power to achieve whatever they think necessary.

Written by the man who does the Uncle Eric series, I am left with a desire to figure out more. For example, I learned that Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter Rose Lane was of a communist mindset until she viewed this more closely in Europe and came home to America to write Give Me Liberty and Discovery of Freedom.

What next? Maybury says to go read from the suggestions and then come back to this book review it again and a person should be able to select books confidently which consist with the principles that founded America.

Time will tell with me.

[Steve Cioccolanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took some university level courses on American history and European history and had never heard the philosophy of the founders presented so clearly. Jefferson and others valued freedom above all else and knew that the enemy of freedom would be government itself.

Government will always abuses these 4 powers:
1) the power to print money (steal from its citizens),
2) the power to tax (steal from industry),
3) the power to legislate laws (instead of following the simplicity of minimal common law), and
4) the power to use force against its own people (especially to tax more).

Richard Maybury or "Uncle Eric" does a splendid job of teaching readers to think critically about the bias of information. You will question next time people use vague terms such as "society" and learn to ask, "Who is the speaker or author really talking about?" You will learn a lot from this one little book about the American founding father's thoughts on freedom, religion, Europe, common law, taxes and thanksgiving.

Interesting quote, Jefferson said, "Never take part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interest are entirely distinct from ours...They are nations of eternal war."

How little has changed since Jefferson's day. Europe started 2 world wars and is now taking the world into economic meltdown.
The more you study history, the more you realize its value.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's my beef with this book. Preface, this is my first Uncle Eric book.

The first issue I take with this book is all of the suggested reading are the same for nearly every topic, in nearly every chapter. Over and over again. Now I appreciate that a single good book can teach you many valuable lessons on a myriad of subjects, but I would expect Mr. Mayberry to be well read enough to give a larger variety to which I can go and find such inspiring stories. Don't mistake, I love the Little House series, but why not suggest that book for the chapter on "Overcoming Problems" and instead of giving a repeat suggestion for "Heroes use brain not brawn" suggest the Little Britches series, Witch of Blackbird Pond or Across Five Aprils...

Second issue: He suggests reading Ayn Rand's Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. I haven't read this book, nor can I say I've read more than one of Ms. Rand's books. But reading one book was enough for me to believe that she should be read with careful attention to twisted truths, something I'm not convinced many young adults (teenagers) can do.

Third issue: Mr. Mayberry, more than once, suggests using Star Trek as a resource for teaching us the importance of logic and evidence. Don't misunderstand, there is a great need for such things, but in a world where faith, a belief in things not seen, but which are true, it would seem to me, that we have a greater need of putting first things first. And perhaps it’s a little more than ironic that Star Trek, which isn’t real, is suggested for this.

Fourth issue: The Great Thanksgiving Hoax.
I know so little and have so much more to learn, given that, I somehow cannot believe what Mr. Mayberry is attempting to convince the reader of, which is this: that "1621...many of the colonists were lazy thieves", but 2 years later, when they were each given a plot of land they became hard working and honest and that was the end of the famines. I know some lazy people. And I know some thieves. I feel it's pretty safe to say that it would take more that an incentive to change the character traits they've developed.

BUT!

I think Mr. Mayberry isn't all bad. In truth, I may find him to be mostly good if I continue to consume his writings.

His article "The Founding Fathers: Smugglers, Tax Evaders and Traitors" makes some excellent points. My favorite is " Contrary to what we so often read, the Americans were not fighting the British. The Americans were British." We weren't fighting a people, we were fighting for the right to live under a Higher Law.

[Deann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is helpful not just in evaluating books, but in evaluating people and opinions as well. When confused by politicians, this book would be helpful. If you don't agree with the viewpoints presented, at least read with an open mind and a desire to sort out opinions in your own search for understanding and truth.

[Becky S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and eye opener book about our great country!

[Joel Everett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The summary of this book in regard to evaluating books can be stated as: Does a book advocate for an enlarged government and spending? The book is 'bad.' Does a book advocate for a smaller government and limited spending? That book is 'good.' This is followed by a short quote by Thomas Jefferson on the topic at hand.

The rest of the books deals with common fallacies, according to the author, propounded by Statists, or those in favor of the mechanism of government as the primary solution to various social issues.

Although I am personally sympathetic to some of Mr. Maybury's viewpoints I found this book to be light on substance and evidence based argument. If one has read his other books in the "Uncle Eric" series there is little that is new in this book that would make me recommend this book.

[Aria Maher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm honestly not sure what to think about this book. The Founding Fathers are obviously not infallible, and so trying to evaluate books by asking "What would Thomas Jefferson think about this?" or "Is this consistent with the principles of the Founding Fathers?" seems like a rather odd thing to do. While I do appreciate Richard Maybury's candid look at our modern government, which honestly could use a lot of fixing up, I felt like he was forcing his message upon the reader as the ONLY good option, even while he doesn't seem to show any evidence for why his message is actually true.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why does this book exist? It wasn't bad it just seemed useless to someone who already has at least a medicore grasp of political science. Each segment is about a different problem America has faced and what the founding fathers thought about it. Except often it seemed to be what the author thought about it instead. It seemed like it had little use outside of telling me what books agreed with the authors viewpoint. Maybe a teacher or researcher would value this book but it held little purpose for me.

[Dawn Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a librarian so I figured this would be interesting. It turns out that it was. Maybury has broken various concepts down into digestible bite-size pieces so that younger (and older) readers can easily understand what to look for when reading books regarding economics, history, money, etc. I am looking forward to reading more of the Uncle Eric series. Yes, they are juvenile books but are very worthwhile for adult-reading too!

[Congetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy introduction to learn how to evaluate and be discerning related to non-fiction (history, economics, etc.) books. Knowing what is considered a statist book or viewpoint is important whether you support it or don’t. I will definitely reread and will do so with my son when he is ready.

[Daniel Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good reading recommendations and information regarding the author's personal belief in statism (which I'd never heard of before reading his books). This book is extremely short, and some of the pages only contain one or two paragraphs which left more to be desired.

[Tracy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I read it in one day. I'll be incorporating this into our homeschool for 10th grade Language Arts. I'll also be reading aloud page 105-108 and 114-120 along with our normal Thanksgiving book for the younger kiddos!

[Danielle Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wealth of information to open your eyes at a very easy and enjoyable level. The book was not 5 stars like his others for me because it reiterated mostly what was in the penny candy and justice book.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lists different topics and then gives a separate bibliography for each topic that agrees with our founding fathers' views.

[Michael Tildsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I like the author’s distinctions.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob and Ellie read y10.....krb 7/7/24

[American Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy, short read. Thought provoking and worth reading.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book! So much clarification and guidelines with great quotes from Thomas Jefferson.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a thought-provoking read. I admit I don't know much about politics, government, and economics, but what he says makes a lot of sense. He explains how the founding fathers (with many quotes by Thomas Jefferson) viewed the role of government (limited power) and the meaning of liberty. He condemns statism in favor of the free market. This is something I haven't thought much about, but he certainly has good points. He gives examples of books and authors that are in-line with this thinking, and gives many examples of the subtle and not-so-subtle ways statism is embedded in many books, articles, and arguments.

[Celeste Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, but it was more of a pamphlet. It has interesting quotes and comments about the major shifts in thinking and many of the outright lies taught about American History, economics, and social topics. Thought provoking for sure.

[Sally]

reviews of this and other Maybury titles paint him as an anti-government, right-wing Chicken Little. I must read a few of his books and form my own opinion.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Uncle Eric books! Must confess I was hoping for a little more - not sure just what - maybe a little more personal to Jefferson, but totally true to his other books. Worth reading!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guidelines for choosing books. Maybury covers indicators and misleading terms to guide book choices and uncover authors' hidden agendas.

[John Hornyak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basic list of the books from the Jefferson Library that were sold to the Library of Congress in 1816. I've been fascinated with the literary influences on Jefferson and the type of works that may have had an impact on the writing of The Declaration of Independence. As a professor of Classical Greek I can only marvel about the gentlemen of the revolutionary era and their command of Latin and Greek. This is a nice, very complete overview of the books (unfortunately) without and notations or comments by Jefferson.